eNews For Thursday, February 29

2/29/2024

eNews for Thursday, February 29

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, March 3, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Personal Transformation." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Within each of us is the power to be introspective, to see the patterns in our life and make changes in order to be our best selves. This kind of transformation is a matter of peeling away the old self – the facade we have created in reaction to the world – and allowing our authentic self to emerge. Like the transition from caterpillar to butterfly, the changes we can effect in ourselves are as deep as our blood and bones."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
March 3 - Personal Transformation
March 10 - A Changing World

March Religious Education Classes

March 3 - Birdhouses into Bird Homes

In this class we will be decorating the birdhouses the UU kids made for our feathery friends!

March 10 - Ramadan and Flowers

Come learn about the sacred practice of Ramadan. Our kids will learn to transform the space around them and to build a beautiful garden that sustains life.

March 17 - Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Come learn about our native Michigan butterflies, native hummingbirds, and learn about the power of transformation. How do we evolve and change as time goes by?

March 24 - Peace and Tranquility with Feng Shui

We will explore Feng Shui--the arrangement of colors, shapes, and objects in rooms, creating a safe space to feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually--through creating our own wind chimes.

March 31 - Transformation of Self

In this class the kids will be making their own fashion statements, transforming our everyday wear into something personal. The kids will learn how to sew, decorate, dye, and design their own clothing or accessories!

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out Sunday Services on our website for sermon video and/or text. 2023 and prior year sermon video and/or text are located under Sermon Archives.

Minister’s Column

It was the end of the Christmas parade in downtown Mount Pleasant: the vehicles and floats, firetrucks and sirens, the churches and the community groups had all finished parading by. The crowd was going home. In the cold winter air and the rapidly emptying downtown, my wife and I noticed a new shop on Broadway that I hadn’t seen before, with a sign saying they were now open for business. The name of the store was catchy: Life Unplugged. Even better was the provocative question painted on the storefront window: What if you recharged yourself as much as you recharge your phone?

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 1:00pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
- Monthly Soul Matters Small Group Discussion - February 29, at 6:30pm Tonight!

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Coordinating Team - Sunday, March 3, at 12:30pm
Building Team - Monday, March 4, at 6:00pm
Social Justice Team - Monday, March 4, at 7:00pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

First Friday Potluck – Friday, March 1 This Friday!

Please join us in the UUFCM Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm (doors open at 6:15) for food, conversation, and games! Coffee, hot tea, and water will be provided. If you are able, please bring a dish to pass.

Happy Birthday!

In March, we celebrate the birthdays of Charles Emerick, Leslie Hildebrandt, Beth Macleod, Victoria Sladek, Daniel Davis, and Kevin Daum. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so.

Small Group Gatherings for Dessert

Recently our Board of Trustees shared the proposed budget for next year. As an opportunity to go deeper into the conversation around our budget, our values, and the role that each of us plays in the Fellowship, you are invited to a dessert gathering with fellow congregants.

During the week of March 18, many members of UUFCM are opening their homes to small groups to connect with one another and to envision the best possible future for our Fellowship. What's great about this place? What could be even better? How can we work together to achieve our goals?

On Sunday you can sign up for a dessert gathering on a specific date and time. Please see the Stewardship Team with any questions: Drew Frantz, Cynthia Damer, Gisela Moffitt, Amy Voege, Mary Alsager and Norma Bailey.

Replacing Plastic Bags - One at a Time!

As part of our efforts to change our habits, our Tool Kit for January focused on reducing plastics in our daily lives. We launched a new project: collecting totes or bags made out of cloth, netting, or durable plastics to use in grocery and other stores. The response was great!

We collected 31 such bags and donated most of them to Clothing, INC which will give them to their clients and encourage them to use them instead of single-use plastic bags. A big "Thank You" to everyone who donated bags or took some for their own use. We'll keep the collection box in the social hall for another month, so bring what you can and take what you need!

We Need Your Help

It’s that time again! We are scheduled to provide dinners for the homeless shelter guests at St. John’s church on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20. If you are interested in helping, or in getting more information, please contact Joyce Henricks ([email protected]).

Religious Education Update

In class, the UU kids have been learning about equity: where all resources are distributed fairly so everyone can succeed. We have taken this opportunity to see equity in real time in stewardship to the land and nature. The children have been working hard making homes for our Michigan birds, food stations, and bird baths. We are working with nature by creating all the resources to thrive. Come check out our bird city! Do you have any suggestions for what to name our new oasis for our feathery friends?

Are You Interested in Serving on the Board of Trustees?

It's that time of year and we are looking for people to serve on the Board of Trustees next year. The open positions for next year are:

Trustee Position Duration of Term

President-Elect 1-year (really 2-years)

Treasurer 2-years + 4 months

Trustee-At-Large One 2-year

Trustee-At-Large One 1-year

If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, contact Aaron Jones ([email protected]) or Terrie Robbie ([email protected])

• • • Community News • • •

Poor People’s Campaign in Lansing - THIS SATURDAY

On March 2, at 11:00am, the Poor People’s Campaign will hold simultaneous rallies at 30+ statehouses to demand our elected leaders take real action to end death by poverty, and the Capitol in Lansing will hold one of those rallies. Norma Bailey is planning on attending and would love to have others join her. If you are interested, please contact her (989-560-3952, [email protected]).

Free COVID Tests

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. You can order your test kits HERE.

Donate Now!

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan is funded solely by its members and friends.

For your convenience, you can make a donation electronically with the button below, or via the GivePlus Church App. Please consider the option of offsetting the cost to the Fellowship for providing the convenience of making an online donation.

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Please contact Drew via email, phone, or text.
[email protected]
Phone/text: 440-935-0129
Office Hours (in person and/or Zoom):
Tuesdays 10am-noon
Wednesdays 1-3pm and 8-9pm
Office Hours Zoom Link

UUFCM Board of Trustees for 2023-2024
President: Cynthia Damer (989.506.5750; [email protected])
President-Elect: Aaron Jones (989.501.0672; [email protected])
Treasurer: Terrie Robbie (989.400.2495; [email protected])
Secretary: Laurie Meadows (989.317.8299; [email protected])
Trustee: Victoria Sladek (989.506.7039; [email protected])
Trustee: Monica Jean (616.443.8782; [email protected])

Team and Committee Leaders

Adult Religious Education Team - Jodi Fisher
Building, Grounds & Safety Team - Norma Bailey
Caring Committee - Laura McBride
Communications Coordinating Team
Fellowship Life Coordinating Team - Gisela Moffit
Membership - Laura McBride
Welcome & Hospitality - Gisela Moffit
Social Fun - Jen Prout
Social Justice Coordinating Team - Norma Bailey
Worship Team - Drew Frantz
Youth Religious Education (RE) Team - Norma Bailey

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

Copyright © 2023 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan. All rights reserved.

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eNews For Thursday, February 22

2/22/2024

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, February 22

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, February 25, to worship with Guy Newland, who will present "Hope Beyond Hope." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Does the 'hope of human love' mean wishing for and anticipating a better world in the future? Or something else? What else could it be? In this worship service, Guy Newland will explore these questions with us."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
February 25 - Hope Beyond Hope
March 3 - Personal Transformation
March 10 - A Changing World

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out Sunday Services on our website for sermon video and/or text. 2023 and prior year sermon video and/or text are located under Sermon Archives.

Minister’s Column

Last week was an unusual coincidence where Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fell on the same day. Here’s what a clever poet said in a social media post:

Roses are red,
Ashes are gray.
There’s a smudge on your forehead,
It’s Valentine’s Day?

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 1:00pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
- Monthly Soul Matters Small Group Discussion - February 29, at 6:30pm

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Stewardship Committee - Tuesday, February 27, at 5:30pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Movie Night - This Saturday!

Our February's movie is based on the true story of Brian Banks, a 16-year old with a bright future ahead of him - including attending USC. He has a dream of playing in the NFL. All that ends when he is falsely accused and convicted of rape and kidnapping. After serving five years in prison, Brian is released and seeks out the Innocence Project to clear his name. What happens next? Come find out February 24, at 7:00pm at the UUFCM's Fellowship Hall when we watch "Brian Banks."

Welcome to UU Orientation – Sunday, February 25

This orientation is geared to newcomers, visitors, and those seeking to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and this UU fellowship. It is offered every month both in person in the fellowship hall and via Zoom, typically on the last Sunday at 12:30 pm. Sessions run approximately an hour and a half. Please let Laura know whether you will be attending via Zoom or in person by the Friday prior to the orientation.

For more info or to register for Welcome to UU, contact: Laura McBride at 989.772.5512 or [email protected]

First Friday Potluck – Friday, March 1

NEW: Community Justice Party a Great Success!

The 2024 Community Justice Party on Saturday, February 17, was well-done and well-received! Thanks to everyone who performed – amazing talent in our congregation! Thanks to everyone who attended – your enthusiastic responses were so appreciated by the performers! Thanks to Jen Prout for her social justice music for the party! Thanks to those of you who donated cakes for the cake walk! And thanks to the Social Justice Team who put lots of hours preparing the party for us – Norma Bailey, Joyce Henricks, Kelly Lawson, Gisela Moffit, and Katie Zapoluch! As well, the local League of Women Voters also thanks everyone as we were able to send them a check for $300 as a donation from the party proceeds! Such generosity!

NEW: Directory is Updated!

Thanks to everyone who helped in our effort to get new postal addresses, phone numbers, emails, pronoun preferences and photos into our 2024 Directory. It is now available online. The password has not been changed. If you can't remember it, contact Gisela Moffit. Hard copies will be available at the church. If you find an error in your entry, let Gisela at [email protected] or our Administrator, Wendy at [email protected], know so that it will be accurate.

Are You Interested in Serving on the Board of Trustees?

It's that time of year and we are looking for people to serve on the Board of Trustees next year. The open positions for next year are:

Trustee Position Duration of Term

President-Elect 1-year (really 2-years)

Treasurer 2-years + 4 months

Trustee-At-Large One 2-year

Trustee-At-Large One 1-year

If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, contact Aaron Jones ([email protected]) or Terrie Robbie ([email protected])

Twelve Months to a More Conscious You! February 2024

Adult RE Initiative
The February tool kit is here!!! See how you can make personal progress to protect our precious Great Lakes and state waters!!! There is still time to submit your January points to Jodi Fisher at [email protected]. Remember, you participate as much or little as you want and can join at any time. Contact Jodi or Karen Turnbull at [email protected] for more information.
Click here for February's toolkit!

• • • Community News • • •

Black History Month Activities - February 2024

The Black History Month activities at CMU are posted at https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/multicultural-academic-student-services/cultural-celebrations/black-history-month/calendar-of-events

Poor People’s Campaign in Lansing - Saturday, March 2

Free COVID Tests

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. You can order your test kits HERE.

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

eNews For Thursday, February 15

2/15/2024

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, February 15

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, February 18, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "Justice & Equity." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"In Unitarian Universalism, justice and equity are two of our core values. What is fair and how do we define it? How can we grapple with the instinct for greed that is part of human nature--and a big part of American culture? Current issues in the public arena, such as ballot questions for public projects, give us an opportunity to see how our values translate into actions."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
February 18 - Equity & Justice
February 25 - Hope Beyond Hope
March 3 - Personal Transformation
March 10 - A Changing World

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out Sunday Services on our website for sermon video and/or text. 2023 and prior year sermon video and/or text are located under Sermon Archives.

Minister’s Column

I’m writing this week’s column with a heavy heart because my mother passed away on Monday morning. She was 86 years old and had been suffering a long decline from Alzheimer’s disease. I’m very grateful that she died peacefully in her sleep.

Read the column here.

Rev. Drew Frantz is on bereavement leave and will return to the pulpit on Sunday, February 18.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 1:00pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
- Monthly Soul Matters Small Group Discussion - February 29, at 6:30pm

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Youth RE Team - Sunday, February 18, at 3:30pm
Stewardship Committee - Tuesday, February 20, at 5:30pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Community Justice Party - This Saturday!

This is it! Our fourth bi-annual Community Justice Party is this Saturday, and you are all invited to come and bring family members and friends for an evening of entertainment and fun!

There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, two original music compositions, and a “Guess the Activist” contest highlighting several social justice issues! After, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and a rousing cake walk! You don’t want to miss this terrific event to brighten up the February doldrums! See you there!

Saturday, February 17, at 7:00pm
Adults: $5 suggested donation
(donations benefit local League of Women Voters)

Special Offering Collection - This Sunday

On Sunday, February 18, a special plate collection will be taken to support the work of MUUSJN, the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network. MUUSJN is a very active state-wide network of the 24 Unitarian Universalist congregations and allies in Michigan who work together for progressive change. Its mission is to foster the worth and dignity of people by promoting social justice and community service. You can donate online to the Social Justice Special Plate Collections Fund on our UUFCM website, or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with MUUSJN in the memo.

We are also very much encouraging individual people to become members of MUUSJN. The work of the MUUSJN director and the three project organizers we employ has led to many accomplishments each year that support our UU values (linked to document here and also posted on our bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall). Thus, when you become a member, you spread your small donation well beyond our UUFCM walls.

Budget Hearing - Sunday, February 18 This Sunday!

At the Fellowship Life meeting after the worship service on Sunday, February 18, the Board will hold our annual budget hearing where congregants can give initial feedback to the proposed budget for 2024-2025. Please plan on attending.

Game Night! - Monday, February 19

We meet on 3rd Mondays from 7-9pm in the UUFCM Fellowship Hall and have fun with a variety of games decided by consensus. It is a great opportunity to learn new games and meet people with similar interests! Questions? Contact James Scott at [email protected].

Movie Night - Saturday, February 24

Are You Interested in Serving on the Board of Trustees?

It's that time of year and we are looking for people to serve on the Board of Trustees next year. The open positions for next year are:

Trustee Position Duration of Term

President-Elect 1-year (really 2-years)

Treasurer 2-years + 4 months

Trustee-At-Large One 2-year

Trustee-At-Large One 1-year

If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, contact Aaron Jones ([email protected]) or Terrie Robbie ([email protected])

Twelve Months to a More Conscious You! February 2024

• • • Community News • • •

Soup and Substance - Thursday, February 15

CMU invites community members to its Soup & Substance on Thursday, February 15, at 12:00pm. Nour Ali from CAIR-MI (The Council on American-Islamic Relations), a nonprofit grassroots civil rights and advocacy group, will be discussing the parallels of liberation across nations. Please click the following link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/7CDZdv2xpmoypF5y6.

Sacred Activism Workshop - Monday, February 19

Zoom
Monday, February 19, at 7:00pm
Presented by Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow. Register here.

Black History Month Activities - February 2024

The Black History Month activities at CMU are posted at https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/multicultural-academic-student-services/cultural-celebrations/black-history-month/calendar-of-events

Poor People’s Campaign in Lansing - Saturday, March 2

Free COVID Tests

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. You can order your test kits HERE.

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

eNews for Thursday, February 8

2/8/2024

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, February 7

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, February 11, to worship with Rev. Drew Frantz, who will present "The Power of Surprise." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Authors Tania Luna and Leeann Renninger have written a book called 'Surprise' with the subtitle “embrace the unpredictable and engineer the unexpected.” They explain the psychology behind human surprise, and encourage us to cultivate surprise in our daily lives. This is a spiritual practice of mindfulness and appreciating life that all of us could benefit from."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
February 11 - The Power of Surprise
February 18 - Equity & Justice
February 25 - Hope Beyond Hope

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out Sunday Services on our website for sermon video and/or text. 2023 and prior year sermon video and/or text are located under Sermon Archives.

Minister’s Column

Last weekend I traveled to Texas with my wife for a family celebration: my brother-in-law Don and his wife Pam were celebrating 50 years of marriage. Twenty-nine of us gathered for the party, traveling from Michigan, Ohio, California, Florida and Texas. Most of the people were new to me—I felt like I gained three new brothers and three new sisters. It was also my first visit to Texas, so I experienced new foods, a different culture, new geography and warmer weather.

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 1:00pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
- Monthly Soul Matters Small Group Discussion - February 29, at 6:30pm

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Board of Trustees - Sunday, February 11, at 1:00pm
Stewardship Committee - Sunday, February 11, at 3:30pm
Social Justice Team - Monday, February 12, at 7:00pm
Worship Team - Tuesday, February 13, at 7:30pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Community Justice Party - February 17

Saturday, February 17, at 7:00pm
Adults: $5 suggested donation (donations benefits local League of Women Voters)
Children: FREE (childcare provided - let Norma Bailey know if needed by February 9)

You are all invited to our fourth bi-annual Community Justice Party. There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, and a “Guess the Activist” contest highlighting several social justice issues, and then we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and a rousing cake walk! This was a highlight event in 2019, so be sure to have it on your calendar!

Cakes and Pies Requested for Community Justice Party! Joyce Henricks is asking for volunteers who would be willing to prepare a cake or pie for the popular Cake Walk at our Community Justice Party. Please contact Joyce ([email protected]) if you are interested in providing a cake or pie for the event.

Budget Hearing - Sunday, February 18

Game Night! - Monday, February 19

We meet on 3rd Mondays from 7-9pm in the UUFCM social hall and have fun with a variety of games decided by consensus. It is a great opportunity to learn new games and meet people with similar interests! Questions? Contact James Scott.

Are You Interested in Serving on the Board of Trustees?

It's that time of year and we are looking for people to serve on the Board of Trustees next year. The open positions for next year are:

Trustee Position Duration of Term

President-Elect 1-year (really 2-years)

Treasurer 2-years + 4 months

Trustee-At-Large One 2-year

Trustee-At-Large One 1-year

If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, contact Aaron Jones ([email protected]) or Terrie Robbie ([email protected])

Twelve Months to a More Conscious You! February 2024

Setting Intentions - January/February 2024

This year, your Social Justice Coordinating Team (SJCT) is asking each of us individually to set an intention – and follow through! – to involve ourselves more and/or to learn more about our neighbors and issues.
Read more about Setting Intentions here.

• • • Community News • • •

Midland Lunar New Year 2024 - Saturday, February 10

For more information or to purchase tasting tickets, click here -
https://www.midlandlunarnewyear.com/.

Soup and Substance - Thursday, February 15

Sacred Activism Workshop - Monday, February 19

Zoom
Monday, February 19, at 7:00pm
Presented by Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow. Register here.

Black History Month Activities - February 2024

The Black History Month activities at CMU are posted at https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/multicultural-academic-student-services/cultural-celebrations/black-history-month/calendar-of-events

Poor People’s Campaign in Lansing - Saturday, March 2

Free COVID Tests

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. You can order your test kits HERE.

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.

eNews For Thursday, February 1

2/1/2024

View this email in your browser

eNews for Thursday, February 1

Worship Matters

We will gather online via Zoom and in person this Sunday, February 4, to worship together with Norma Bailey, who will present "Homelessness & UUFCM." The Zoom call starts at 10:00am for social time, and the service starts at 10:30am.

"Homelessness is a significant issue in Isabella County, and we are fortunate to have the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) which provides temporary shelter and works to help guests move toward self-sufficiency. Dee Obrecht, the Executive Director of ICRH, will share with us how the shelter works, what its future direction is, and how wemembers and friends of UUFCM can make a difference by our participation. Our UU Principles and UU values certainly guide us to support these critical efforts."

Zoom Invitation for Sunday Service:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 402489218

One tap mobile
+16468769923,,402489218#

Phone - audio only
+1 646 876 9923

Upcoming Services
February 4 - Homelessness & UUFCM
February 11 - The Power of Surprise
February 18 - TBD
February 25 - TBD

If you happen to miss being in worship, please check out our website sermon archive for sermon video and/or text.

Minister’s Column

On February 1, we are halfway from the winter solstice (December 21, known as Yule) to the spring equinox (March 21, known as Ostara). The holiday of February 1 and the season of late winter are known as Imbolc. At this time of year, I often reflect on winter and how the Christmas holiday (around Yule) is too early. Yes, that is the darkest season of the year—but this is the coldest and the longest. It’s at this time in the winter, with all of February and March in front of us, that we could use some Christmas lights and Christmas cheer…and Christmas vacation.

Read the column here.

Upcoming Events

Most meetings and events are hybrid (in-person/Zoom). Please contact the event or meeting leader if you are not sure. Event and meeting details and links can be found on the UUFCM Calendar.

- Welcome to UU Orientation - Last Sundays at 1:00pm
- UUFCM Men’s Group - 1st Mondays at 7pm on Zoom
- Game Night - 3rd Mondays at 7pm
- Central Michigan Sangha - Tuesdays at 6:45pm
- UU Discussion Group - Wednesdays at 10am
- Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7pm
- Drawing Workshop - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am
- First Friday Potluck - First Fridays at 6:30pm
- Movie Night - 4th Saturdays at 7pm
- Monthly Soul Matters Small Group Discussion - February 29, at 6:30pm

All members and friends are welcome to attend our UUFCM Board meeting as well as the various team meetings that occur monthly. If you are interested in attending any specific team meeting, please contact the team leader for information.

Team Meetings
Coordinating Team - Sunday, February 4, at 1:00pm
Building Team - Monday, February 5, at 6:00pm

If you are interested in helping any of these teams or committees, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form if you haven’t already.

Happy Birthday!

In February, we celebrate the birthdays of Annette Pratt, George Lentz, Jerry Cavalieri, David Allan, Logan Pease, Katie Zapoluch, Kris Los, Laura McBride, Jordan Blackman, Lonna Bear, and Glenn Lewandos. For the year to come, we wish them much joy, good health for body and mind, and new (ad)ventures. May it be so.

Infant Pantry Collection - This Sunday!

Donations for the Infant Pantry are collected on the first Sunday of each month. You can donate online to the Monthly Donations for Infant Pantry on our website, or checks can be sent to our treasurer made out to UUFCM with Infant Pantry in the memo. Questions? Contact Tom Moffit (989-772-1602; [email protected]). Thank you in advance for your generosity.

First Friday Potluck – February 2
This Friday!

Facilitated Book Discussion Group -

This Sunday!

A facilitated discussion of "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End," by Atul Gawunde is being held from 12:00pm to 1:00pm in the Sanctuary after Sunday services until February 11.

Click here for detailed information.

UPDATED: Community Justice Party - February 17

Saturday, February 17, at 7:00pm
Adults: $5 suggested donation (donations benefits local League of Women Voters)
Children: FREE (childcare provided - let Norma Bailey know if needed by February 9)

You are all invited to our fourth bi-annual Community Justice Party. There will be a program in the sanctuary of music, skits, poetry, and a “Guess the Activist” contest highlighting several social justice issues, and then we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for light refreshments and a rousing cake walk! This was a highlight event in 2019, so be sure to have it on your calendar!

Are You Interested in Serving on the Board of Trustees?

It's that time of year and we are looking for people to serve on the Board of Trustees next year. The open positions for next year are:

Trustee Position Duration of Term

President-Elect 1-year (really 2-years)

Treasurer 2-years + 4 months

Trustee-At-Large One 2-year

Trustee-At-Large One 1-year

If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, contact Aaron Jones ([email protected]) or Terrie Robbie ([email protected])

2024 UUFCM Retreat: Covenant

Twenty-seven members and friends of the Fellowship gathered on Sunday, January 20 for a half-day retreat on the topic of covenant: the promises we make to one another about how we will treat each other. In case you missed it, in our small groups we discussed these questions:

Where in life have you been treated well? What did it look like?
Where in life have you not been treated well?
How do you want to be treated at UUFCM?
What are you willing to do in order to treat others how they want to be treated at UUFCM?
From the existing UUFCM covenant statements and the covenant statements shared from other UU congregations[please see attached document], what parts do you like?
What are some ideas or statements that should be included in our UUFCM covenant?

The end result was a collection of ideas from the various small groups and a lot of good discussion. The Board of Trustees and Shared Ministry Team will now consider next steps. Please contact them if you are interested in working more on this. Thanks to members of the Shared Ministry Team (Jennifer Davis, Joyce Henricks, Stacey Pattison and Mary Alsager) and to Board President Cynthia Damer who worked with Rev. Drew to facilitate the retreat, and thanks to all who shared their time and ideas.

Twelve Months to a More Conscious You! February 2024

Adult RE Initiative
Climate Change is real and present and is affecting our Mother Earth - including insects, animals, trees, soil, weather, infrastructure, and human beings. It will cause major negative changes for our children and grandchildren and beyond (the 7th Generation). Climate change is currently impacting millions of people, especially those in the bottom 98% of income.

Adult RE has designed a twelve-month challenge to us to change our daily practices that are counter-productive to Mother Earth and replace them with habits that are more conducive to the future.
Read more about the initiative here...

February 2024
The February tool kit is here!!! See how you can make personal progress to protect our precious Great Lakes and state waters!!! There is still time to submit your January points to Jodi Fisher at [email protected]. Remember, you participate as much or little as you want and can join at any time. Contact Jodi or Karen Turnbull at [email protected] for more information.
Click here for February's toolkit!

Help With Bathroom Issues at UUFCM

Over the last several months, we have had significant backup issues with the toilets in the small bathrooms on the lower level. We have had to have a plumber in three times to try to resolve the issue (at a significant expense to the congregation), and while they have now cleaned out the lines all the way to University Street, including removing roots, they said that they have also found paper towel in the lines.

Therefore, please make sure to not throw paper towels, Kleenex, nor female sanitary items into our toilets!

Setting Intentions - January/February 2024

• • • Community News • • •

Black History Month Activities

The Black History Month activities at CMU are posted at https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/multicultural-academic-student-services/cultural-celebrations/black-history-month/calendar-of-events

Free COVID Tests

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this fall on COVIDTests.gov

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. You can order your test kits HERE.

Donate Now!

If you prefer not to donate electronically, you may also write a check payable to UUFCM and send it to: UUFCM, P.O. Box 41, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0041

Got News?
The deadline for submissions to
the Order of Service Insert and the UUFCM weekly eNews
is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Please send all submissions to [email protected].

Drew’s Contact Information

Team and Committee Leaders

We are a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.